---- But Aaron wasn't about to let her escape. He grabbed her hand. "Hey, don't go yet! Let's reminisce a little more. Be honest-didn't you think I looked crazy handsome back then?" Yeah... like a knight in shining armor, sweeping in to save her. But Clara wasn't about to say that out loud. Instead, she pinched his cheek. "Let me check-how thick is that skin of yours?" Aaron leaned casually against the vanity, one arm wrapping snugly around her waist like she was the greatest treasure he'd ever held. "Clara, I swear... I never imagined it, but we're clearly made for each other." She scoffed. "Please. If you tossed your jacket at every damsel in distress, you'd have, what, eight or ten 'destined wives' by now?" Aaron grew serious. "Nope. Just one. Only you." Then his eyes twinkled. "So, if you liked me so much, why didn't you try to find me after?" Clara's voice was firm. "Because I had school to focus on. Aaron raised an eyebrow. "And when you were at the hospital, stealing my sperm-what were you thinking then?" ---- He really was the worst. Why did he have to bring up that again? Clara's voice was ice. "My son matters most. I don't care about any other men." Aaron gasped like she'd stabbed him. "Damn! That's cold. So ruthless to the man you secretly loved for years!" Clara froze, then snapped, "One last time: I never liked you. It was admiration-respect, that's it!" Aaron nodded indulgently. "Sure, sure. You didn't like me. | liked you. Is that better?" She looked away. "No! Let me go already. I'm tired and want to sleep!" But Aaron wasn't ready to end his victory lap. He was practically glowing with joy, still basking in the revelation that Clara had been crushing on him all along. No way he was letting her leave just yet. Seeing her yawn, he scooped her up and set her gently on the vanity, pressing his forehead against hers, nose to nose. His gaze locked onto hers, voice husky and intimate. "You've been keeping this from me for so long. Other than secretly loving me, what else are you hiding?" ---- "I-L.. nothing, nothing..." Clara's words barely escaped before his lips claimed hers. This kiss wasn't like the one from last night-aggressive and overwhelming. No, this one was soft. Patient. Torturously slow. Their breaths tangled, lips brushing, then deepening-tongue teasing tongue, tracing every inch of her mouth like he was memorizing her. It was too much. His fingers slid up her neck, the heat of his skin sending chills across hers. And just like that, Clara's years of repressed longing unraveled. The face she had only dared to dream about in the dead of night-was now just inches away. Real. Right here. Her heart pounded so wildly she thought it might explode. Aaron's touch, his lips, his breath-he was everywhere. Her rational mind shattered. Almost without realizing, her arms circled his neck. She tilted her chin up, surrendering. That tiny movement made Aaron go feral. He ---- deepened the kiss, drawing a moan from her throat. He pressed closer, wanting more. Then his lips found her ear. Clara shuddered violently. Her earlobes-total danger zone. Off-limits. She tried to pull back, but her body had gone soft, weak, useless. Aaron took advantage, tracing her ear with his lips, kissing, nibbling. His hands began to roam-firm, hungry. Somehow, her dress had ridden up-far too high. Her skin beneath was hot, flushed, and glowing. Their breath grew heavy. The heat between them almost unbearable. Clara didn't know how much time passed before she managed to turn her head away and whisper, trembling, "Aaron... n-not here. My mom..." Aaron was breathing hard too, his muscles taut with restraint. He groaned against her ear. He grabbed her hand, pressing it against himself. "Dr. Hartley, I feel awful. You're a doctor-can't you take a look?" Clara's entire face turned red-hot-she could probably ---- boil water with it. She yanked her hand back like she'd been electrocuted and smoothed down her wrinkled dress with shaky hands. "I'm a pediatrician, you perv! Not qualified for that!" She jumped down from the vanity like it was on fire and bolted to her mom's room, dove onto the bed, and pulled the covers over her head. But her heart? Still pounding like crazy.